WILLIAMS: Android apps add to fun of Nexus 7

As I wrote last week, I am a big fan of Google's new Nexus 7 tablet. In fact, I am using it so much that I hardly have touched my iPad for more than a quick glance in the week since the Nexus arrived.

I have dipped my toes in the Android water several times over the past few years, but this is the first time that it truly feels as if everything is coming together.

With that in mind, I thought it fitting to share some of my favorite Android apps that I am using on the Nexus 7 tablet. Whether you are using a handset or a tablet, you should be able to give each of the apps a whirl. Each is available in the Google Play store.

Flipboard: I use tablets mostly for reading content. Flipboard has long been one of my favorite ways to consume a variety of websites in a mobile-friendly format. Its Android app is top notch, just like its iOS version. The one difference is the Android one has a phone-only interface, though for a 7-inch tablet such as the Nexus 7 it isn't that big of a deal.

Alarm Clock by doubleTwist: There are so many alarm clock apps available for any mobile device on the market. I tested a few for Android and found doubleTwist's version to be the most visually pleasing and just feature-packed enough to be useful without also being overwhelming.

Pocket: I find a variety of articles online, but usually don't have time to read them right at that moment. I instead send them to Pocket, which will download them instantly and save them for reading offline at a later time. I have been using the Pocket app for iOS for quite some time. What makes the Android version even nicer is the ability to instantly sync an article in the background as soon as I save it. No more forgetting to sync right as I lose data before a flight. Everything is instantly there.

Chrome: Though a default app on the Nexus 7 and the latest Android handsets, many users may not know that Google's desktop browser is now available on Android as well. If you are running an Android 4.0 or later device and still using the classic browser app, it is well worth your time to download Chrome instead. The tab syncing with your desktop alone makes it worth it.

FlickFolio: The default Gallery app on Android is nice, but I don't really want to sync my photos with Google's Picasa service. I am far more likely to share them on Facebook or Flickr. FlickFolio is the best app I have found for browsing what Flickr has to offer in a nicely done tablet interface.

Justin Williams enjoys using and writing about personal technology. He can be contacted via his website at carpeaqua.com.